Nowadays Vipassana meditation is mainly practised in Burmese, Ceylonese and Thai temples on the basis of the handed down teachings of Lord Buddha. The Vipassana meditation technique in the courses is passed on in the same way as it is traditionally practised in the temples in Northern Thailand under the guidance of the Ven. Ajahn Tong (Phrathepsiddhajahn). It is an intensive form of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition with walking and sitting meditations, i.e. it is a traditionally Buddhist meditation technique.

Part of the retreat is a daily reporting time that the teacher holds with each student individually to help them in the process.

A confessional binding to Buddhism is neither presumed nor expected.

Schedule

4:00 am – Wake up. A gong will sound to wake you up. Please turn on your light so we know you are awake.

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

6:30 am – Breakfast (the gong will sound)

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

11:30 am – Lunch (the gong will sound)

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

6:00 pm – Soya milk drinks, yoghurt, chocolate will be be set out around 6:00 pm

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

10:00 pm – Bed time

Tea, coffee and water is provided all day long in the eating area.

Please advise the teacher if you have any medical conditions we need to be aware of, or if you have any problems or questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

What is expected of you

During the course participants are asked to adhere to the eight Buddhists precepts.

1. To abstain from killing any living creature. 2. To abstain from taking what has not been given. 3. To abstain from any sexual activity. 4. To abstain from bad speech, i.e, telling lies, gossiping or bad language. 5. To abstain from taking intoxicants. (drugs or alcohol). 6. To abstain from eating solid foods after 12 midday. 7. To abstain from sensual entertainment (Dancing, singing, listening to music, entertainments,using perfumes, jewellery etc. 8. To abstain from sleeping in high and luxurious beds.

The courses are conducted in noble silence. If you have any questions or difficulties you can always speak with the teacher or the assistant.

Costs

In the Vipassana tradition it is customary that the guiding teacher receives donation from the participants. The teacher doesn´receive a payment besides the donations of the participants.

The costs for food and accommodation are on “sliding scale” between 728-980€. It is up to your own judgement and possibilities how much you pay. Thank you for your support.

The purpose of donation:

Donation…

is an act of gratitude for what one has received

is like alms offered in the begging-bowl of a monk

is a support of a spiritual place, so that it may continue to welcome us

is like an offering of water to the tree of spirituality to helps it grow and expand

is like a roof that seals and protects what we have learned

is the necessary final step in our spiritual training

What to Bring

Please bring with you some white clothing. A countdown timer if possible. Toiletries: Soap etc.

About the teacher – Martin Pack

Martin has been meditating for more than 30 years. 14 years ago he came across this particular form of Vipassana meditation and it was a life changing experience. He subsequently spent years practicing in Northern Thailand often going straight from one retreat into another. Soon he was asked to assist in leading retreats by revered teacher Thanat in Chom Thong in Thailand and Phra Ofer in Isreal under the authority of the venerable Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo coming from the Mahasi lineage.

In 2008 martin was asked by his teacher to set up a Vipassana meditation centre in the mountainous region of Pai. His years of experience in leading retreats show especially during the ‘report times’ (private daily talks between the teacher and the retreat participants) where he helps the students through their challenges with his compassion, characteristic humour and deep understanding of the processes they are going through.

In the last years Martin has also organised and taught retreats in Northern Italy, England, Wales, Israel, France and Austria.

By Car

Located on the Tyrolean Fernpass, in the north-west of Austria, close to the German border the AlpenRetreat is easily reached via the Fernpassstrasse B179 (E532). At the top of the Fernpass (Fernpasshöhe) there is a petrol station named "Dolle". Opposite of it on the other side of the street is a roadside restaurant (Fernpaß Rast), a red building, and a big yellow building (the former Fernpass hotel). Follow the small street between the restaurant and the yellow house for about 200m and you have reached the AlpenRetreat.Places connected by the Fernpassstraße Füssen – Reutte – Heiterwang – Lermooser Tunnel – Fernpass (AlpenRetreat) – Nassereith. At the border-tunnel in Füssen the Fernpasstrasse connects with the federal highway 310 and the A 7. In Nassereith it merges into the B 189 along the Inntal (Inn valley) in direction south-east towards Telfs and in south-west direction towards Imst.

In winter it is compulsory in Austria to have winter tires on your car. Although the Fernpassstrasse is well maintained and therefore easily accessible, sometimes the streets can still be covered in snow. In exceptional cases snow chains may be required (very rarely). If you are coming with a rental car, make sure it is equipped with winter tires (the rental company is obliged to provide this).

*The prices are per direction (pick-up- or drop-off) per car. If more guests share a car, the costs are divided between them.

By Plane

Airport InnsbruckDistance: 64 kmBy car from the airport: aprox. 55min By bus from the airport: Take the bus line F at the airport to the main train station in Innsbruck (Innsbrucker Hauptbahnhof), from there take the "Regionalbus" directly to the bus station "Nassereith Postplatz" or "Hotel Fernpasshöhe" aprox. 1 h 10 min. Time table on www.vvt.at/enBy train from Innsbruck: From "Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof" (main train station) to train station "Imst/Pitztal". Time table on www.oebb.at/enTransfer from/to train station Imst/Pitztal: 40€*

Airport MemmingenDistance: 118 kmBy car from the Airport: aprox. 1h 20minTake the bus to the Memmingen train station. From there you can take a train to Lermoos via Kempten and Reutte. Please check the time table on www.bahn.com/en

Airport MunichDistance: 161 kmBy car from the airport: aprox. 55minBy bus from the airport: You can get on www.meinfernbus.de/en (big green bus) directly at the terminal. It goes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station. From there you can take the train to Lermoos or Bus ticket and time table on www.meinfernbus.de/enBy train from the airport: Go via train to Munich main train station (München Hauptbahnhof). From there take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and onward to Lermoos or Ehrwald.